Emergency bomb vs Money Mayweather?
Remember that brutal plot, offered by an exasperated technical expert, on how to crush and eventually conquer the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr.?
At the height of the clamor and hype for a clash between Mayweather and Pinoy superhero Manny Pacquiao, it was suggested that the best way to hit and beat up the undefeated American prizefight legend was to topple his defensive wall.
It was perceived that Mayweather’s invincibility was anchored on his shoulders, through which he expertly covered his chin and head whenever under siege.
Mayweather had also been likened to a turtle that could conceal its head in its shell at the first hint of danger.
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The idea, offered by the expert whose name escapes this reporter now, was to bomb and dismantle the fortress.
Simply put, it was suggested a challenger could succeed if he concentrated on first hitting and jamming Mayweather’s shoulder rotator cuff.
The suggestion, which had received an amused nod among many experts, eventually fizzled out as Mayweather succeeded in avoiding an outright clash with Pacquiao, then reigning world pound-for-pound king.
There had been neither a hint nor a whimper from the Pacquiao camp on the merit or demerit of that “bomb the fortress” plot.
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Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s name—and fighting style—has cropped up again as the countdown for Mayweather’s Sept. 14 big bout with undefeated Saul “Canelo” Alvarez started.
Listen to this, please: “If Alvarez could duplicate Manny Pacquiao’s footwork and hand speed to blend with his own speed and power shots, he stands a chance of breaking through the defenses and beating Mayweather.”
That’s from boxing scholar Leo Reyes, writing for Digital Journal.
It was noted in the same article that the reason Mayweather had frantically avoided a fight with Pacquiao was the Filipino icon’s blinding speed and incredible power.
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Al Bernstein, revered world boxing expert, said Alvarez should be able to go to the body “the way Miguel Cotto had done” in giving Mayweather hell in their bloody bout.
“Alvarez should also develop a good left hook, if he hopes to succeed,” Bernstein said.
But then, it was mentioned Alvarez must first be able to put Mayweather against the ropes.
There’s a general perception the 24-year-old Alvarez was too slow for that sort of job, and could end up as mere sitting duck like most other Mayweather victims.
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No, countered Oscar de la Hoya, who has been rooting wildly for Alvarez.
“Golden Boy” claimed it will be a totally different Canelo (Cinnamon) Alvarez with enviable footwork and lighting speed who’ll stand toe-to-toe with Mayweather.
That remains to be seen.
But, as often happens in a frantic road to war, they often forget what could be the most practical weapon to secure victory.
“There’s no rule against hitting and bombing the shoulders,” noted big Jun de Jesus of Aglipay Street, Mandaluyong City.
The tireless boxing enthusiast, a former member of the JRU Bombers, said this was exactly the same brutal weapon Muhammad Ali had used in confusing and dismantling the fearsome Sonny Liston, infamously called the Ugly Bear.
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(SMALL NOVEL: Allow me to express deepest gratitude to civic leader Nandy Charvet of Mandaluyong City and sportsman Mar Tirona who teamed up to make the reprinting of my small novel “Tales from My Lost River” possible. Thank you again to Mrs. Bethel Garcia of Merryland Publication who presided over the first printing. Ms. Karina Bolasco of Anvil Publications said the book is now available at selected National Bookstore and Powerbooks outlets.
